Ralph Lauren has announced the second chapter in its ongoing "Artist in Residence" program: a collaboration between RRL and Navajo artist/weaver Zefren-M. Featuring apparel, soft accessories and even a floor rug, the collection highlights a custom color palette created by Zefren-M to honor the Navajo Nation while also combining its traditional sewing and weaving techniques with modern RRL applications to tell the story of the tribe from a unique perspective.
Offerings include a hand-knit shawl cardigan and RRL's classic workshirt as well as an assemblage of bags and a custom rug. The collection's storytelling runs deep as well, with the aforementioned color palette saluting the landscape of Navajo Nation while its repeating pattern salutes the cycles of life and the weaving traditions that Zefren-M's great-grandmother passed down to them. There's also a variety of stamped conchos (metal ornaments) seen across the offering that bear markings in tribute to Spider Woman, a figure from Navajo mythology that taught the tribe how to weave and create beauty.
“Looking to the past has always been a deep source of inspiration to me and something I convey throughout my art and in my personal style,” said Zefren-M. “Collaborating with the RRL team allowed us to create a unique expression of our shared love of heritage and tradition — all while honoring the stories of the Navajo people.” To accompany the campaign, Ralph Lauren has also released a short film and will offer a selection of handmade silver and turquoise pieces created by Lyndon Tsosie, a silversmith who Zefren-M previously apprenticed under.
The Zefren-M and RRL collection follows 2023's extensive offering by Naiomi Glasses and Polo Ralph Lauren, and, in the continued spirit of the project, will donate a portion of its proceeds to the Lyndon Foundation, a native-led organization that "works to preserve heritage and craft and provide opportunities for Indigenous youth to thrive as they pursue a career in the arts," per a press release from Ralph Lauren.
Expect the collection to release at select Ralph Lauren and RRL stores in North America, Europe and Asia starting November 7 before hitting the Ralph Lauren webstore and app in the US and Canada on November 14, then releasing via e-commerce in China and Japan on November 18.
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